Former Bookkeeper Indicted for Stealing $660k from New Bedford Company

BOSTON — A former bookkeeper at a bedding company in New Bedford has been indicted in connection with allegedly stealing $660,000 from the business, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

Deborah Henry, age 69, of New Bedford, was indicted today by a statewide grand jury on the charge of Larceny Over $250. She will be arraigned in Bristol County Superior Court at a later date.

The AG’s Office began its investigation following a referral from the Massachusetts State Police.

For more than 60 years, New Bedford-based B&B Manufacturing Co., Inc., supplied bed frames and bedding products to retailers throughout New England. Henry worked at B&B from 1994 to 2013 serving as the bookkeeper.

Authorities allege that in 1997 Henry opened a bank account similarly named to B&B’s account, but to which only she had access. In this scheme, Henry allegedly deposited more than 455 checks totaling $659,000 from B&B customers to her personal account between 2008 and 2014. B&B went out of business in 2014, allegedly in large part because of this theft.

These charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Geoffrey Wood of AG Healey’s White Collar and Public Integrity Division, with assistance from Investigator Michelle Silva, also of AG Healey’s White Collar and Public Integrity Division, and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s Office.

--Attorney General Maura Healey's Office